Carpenters know to “measure twice and cut once”, meaning make sure your measurements were correct, because recalculating is simple - but once the wood is cut, there is no going back. In this passage, James is speaking on how we are to measure ourselves to God’s wisdom before we cut into the world and other people's lives.“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” James 3:16 ESV